10 Sci-Fi Boxing Films You Must Watch

Description: Set in a dystopian future, this film features a violent sport that combines elements of roller derby, football, and boxing, showcasing the brutality of future sports entertainment.

Fact: The film was remade in 2002, but the original is often considered superior for its social commentary.

Description: While not strictly sci-fi, this film about an underground fighting tournament in Hong Kong includes futuristic elements in its portrayal of martial arts and combat sports.

Fact: Jean-Claude Van Damme, who stars in the film, was a real-life martial artist and helped choreograph many of the fight scenes.

Description: In this dystopian thriller, contestants fight for their lives in a deadly game show, which includes elements of combat sports, making it a fitting addition to this list.

Fact: The film is loosely based on Stephen King's novel under the pseudonym Richard Bachman.

Description: Though not about boxing per se, this film delves into underground fighting with a twist of psychological warfare and a dystopian backdrop, making it a fitting inclusion for its thematic elements.

Fact: The film was adapted from Chuck Palahniuk's novel, and its director, David Fincher, had to fight for the film's R-rating due to its violent content.

Description: While not primarily about boxing, the film features a memorable fight scene known as "The Burly Brawl," where Neo fights multiple Agent Smiths, showcasing a futuristic take on combat.

Fact: The "Burly Brawl" scene required the creation of a new technology for filming multiple identical characters simultaneously.

Description: While not sci-fi, this film features a prison football game with elements of combat, and its futuristic setting in a prison context makes it a thematic fit for this list.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name, with Adam Sandler taking on the role originally played by Burt Reynolds.

Description: In a world where human boxers are replaced by robots, a washed-up fighter teams up with his estranged son to build and train a contender for the boxing championship. This film showcases the evolution of boxing into a high-tech spectacle.

Fact: The film was inspired by Richard Matheson's short story "Steel," which was also adapted into an episode of "The Twilight Zone." Hugh Jackman trained with real boxers to prepare for his role.

Description: In this dystopian future, prisoners can fight for their freedom in a virtual reality game controlled by players. The film explores the concept of human control and the ethics of virtual combat.

Fact: The film was directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, known for their unique visual style in action films.

Description: A Hong Kong film where a boxer seeks revenge and encounters supernatural forces, including a fight with a demon. It's a blend of martial arts and supernatural elements, making it a unique entry in the boxing genre.

Fact: The film features some of the most bizarre and memorable special effects in Hong Kong cinema.

Description: While not strictly sci-fi, this mockumentary by Sylvester Stallone imagines a future where Rocky Balboa fights a computer-generated opponent, blending humor with the futuristic concept of virtual boxing.

Fact: The film was never officially released, but it was shown at the Cannes Film Festival as a promotional piece for "Rocky IV."